**Finding Freedom in Recovery: A Personal Plea for a Resource Center in Warren County**

My name is Nikki Turner, and I along with Lacie Martinez and Amanda Nichols and many more are people in long-term recovery residing in Warren County, Kentucky. My journey with addiction was fraught with loss—homes, marriages, my children, and even my freedom were all casualties of the opioid epidemic that swept across this nation. I was once assured that Oxycontin was not addictive; those falsehoods led me down a path I never could have anticipated. But through immense effort and community support, I found healing and sobriety. Now, my mission is to help others discover the same freedom and community that saved me.

The Barren River Area Development District (BRADD), which serves counties like Warren, desperately needs a dedicated Recovery Resource Center in Bowling Green, KY. This center will become a beacon of hope and healing for those grappling with substance abuse, providing peer recovery coaching and mentoring by individuals who've walked in their shoes. It's a place where lived experiences inspire ongoing guidance and encouragement, fostering an environment of mutual support.

Moreover, our envisioned center will offer various recovery support groups. Whether it's participating in 12-step programs, engaging with SMART Recovery, or attending other mutual-aid meetings, individuals will have access to diverse pathways towards sobriety. Crucially, the center will include telephone and virtual recovery support options—like peer warm lines and weekly check-in calls—to ensure everyone receives the help they need, even from afar.

Overdose prevention resources are another pivotal component of our proposal. With opioid-related fatalities on the rise, providing education, resources, and tools like naloxone can be a lifeline for those at risk. Having these resources readily available will save lives, giving individuals the chance to choose recovery over relapse.

This Recovery Resource Center isn’t just a building; it’s a vital community hub that symbolizes hope, resilience, and transformation. For those in Warren County and the broader BRADD area struggling under the weight of substance abuse, this center can be both a starting point and a refuge on their journey to recovery.

By signing this petition, you lend your voice to a cause that can uplift countless individuals and families. Help us bring this vision to life and provide a brighter future for our community. Together, we can create an impactful, sustainable solution to support recovery and fight the opioid crisis in the BRADD area. Let's make a real difference—please sign and share this petition today.